Pururavas

Pururavas was a legendary king in Hindu mythology, a prominent figure in the Puranic and epic traditions. He is primarily known for his tragic love story with the celestial nymph Urvashi. According to the Vishnu Purana and the Mahabharata, Pururavas was a descendant of the Chandravamsha (Lunar Dynasty) and a great ruler.

His fascination with Urvashi began when he encountered her during a divine assembly. He was smitten by her beauty and grace, and she, in turn, was captivated by his earthly charm. Their love blossomed, and Urvashi agreed to live with Pururavas on the mortal plane, but with certain conditions. These conditions were that she would never be seen naked by him and that he must maintain a certain lifestyle that appealed to her celestial sensibilities.

Pururavas, deeply in love, agreed to these terms. They lived together for a long period, and Urvashi bore him several sons. However, the gods, missing Urvashi in their realm, conspired to break the pact. They sent Gandharvas to create a situation where Urvashi would be seen naked by Pururavas. This happened when wolves, appearing as Urvashi's attendants, stole her vessel of ghee, and she cried out to Pururavas for help. In his haste and desire to protect her, he disregarded the condition, and Urvashi vanished from his sight, returning to the heavens.

Heartbroken and consumed by grief, Pururavas wandered the earth searching for her. His lamentations are famously described in the Rigveda as a dialogue between Pururavas and Urvashi, showcasing his despair at her departure and her eventual cryptic departure. His story is often interpreted as an allegory for the transient nature of earthly desires and the ephemeral quality of celestial relationships.